Sally Rhys: Business Ethics Build Business: Thursday, November 20, 2008 Membership Meeting

Outside the evening was chilled and raining but members welcomed guests and one another warmly. The camaraderie and delicious scent of the pending dinner was a warm counterpoint to the weather with out.

Members and guests gathered around the groaning table to sample Savory bits of Italian home style cooking. The evening's menu was prepared by our resident chef, Zoe Johnson. Fresh crudite of radish & cucumber and a leafy green salad accompanied by homemade summer blackberry vinaigrette started out the meal. Piping hot Polenta offerings for both carnivore and vegetarian piqued the tastebuds: a waft of sun dried tomato accompanied the garden bite of fresh basil in both offerings. Smoked prosciuto or without as one chose, accompanied by a tomato burgundy sauce. Crisp nibbles of parmesan toasted to crackers alongside roasted carrot and harcort verte rounded out the main meal. Afterward, guests brought steaming mugs of something warm to compliment a Fresh apple with Blackberry tart on sweet pastry. The presenter had a rapt audience, satiated and ready to enjoy her fine program.




Sally is a member of AHB (as well as the chapter Librarian). Sally worked in private and public sector HR for over 20 years, ending her corporate career as Director, Ethics and Compliance at Portland General Electric. She's a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, Open Compliance and Ethics Group, and Society for Corporate Compliance and Ethics.


Sally offered members a variety of questions to start the conversation. With her background in Ethics Ms Rhys led the group into the questions surrounding the modern view. Does morality play a role in the definition of ethics? Are ethics a rule as opposed to a code of conduct? During the meeting, members delved into the significance these questions posed.

Simply stated, the owner of Coaching for Perspective offered the tried and true words of wisdom. Do unto others. A viable business that adheres to a strong code of ethics is perceived as honorable and truthful with their client base. As well incorporating that code into a mission statement provide clients with a firm grasp of the business's intention.

In order to help members build their own code of ethics, Sally provided a hand out including a 'values list'. Sally guided members though the steps of writing a simple code of ethics which could also be built into a businesses mission statement.

The discussion was timely and pertinent. Members acknowledged continuity in ethical practices were important in establishing and building relationships in business and the community at large.

The meeting was well attended by 12 members and three guests. Sally answered questions afterward with one and all pitching in while wrapping up the meeting.

The December meeting of the AHB is scheduled at the SMILE station. Every third Thursday of the month there are lively current topics of interest to business owners during the dinner meetings.

Feel free to join our group to share, learn and connect on December 18th, 2008 as we wrap up the years events with co-presenters, Dave and Silke Monnie. Elections for the Board, an overview of the year and a new outlook will be covered during the holiday season meeting.




Reservations are requested and can be arranged via the AHB home page. Click on the Contact Us Link to RSVP for upcoming meetings.